Sunday’s match-up between the Panthers and the Bears is full of the football build-up to make puts game in NFL HOF books!

Let’s start with the basics. Offensively speaking the Panthers have a little bit of an edge in passing yards, rushing yards, 3rd down conversions and total time of ball possession. Which should equate to LOTS-OF-TouchDOWNS!!! Which is music to me and Panther Nation…Defensively, the Bears slightly have the upper hand.

Now here’s where the game gets interesting and the rivalry Pops-Up. Coach Rivera has a long & successful history with the Bears both as a player (Super-Bowl XX champion) as well as a championship Defensive Coordinator. This, by all practical accounts, “SHOULD” give team Panthers the game winning advantage. Rivera understands how the Bears will attack Newton and the offense.

What concerns me is #90 Julius formerly-known-as-my-ALL-TIME-FAV-NFL- Player Peppers. Pep is a force to be reckoned with because he’s hard to defend when his rushing the passer and even more unstoppable when he’s moonlighting in the secondary. He has all the ammunition (professional & personally) to disrupt Newton and the Panthers offense.

Let’sjust say he is contained/slowed down/limited halted by the OL, on the other side of the line is a formidable lineman by the name of Brian Urlacher! Whatever Peppers is unable to do Urlacher will gladly complete. Meaning, Newton has to move outside of the pocket and the offense will have to put the running game in full throttle.

I would be remitted not to mention Jake Cutler, who is the angry Quarter Back. (Besides Michael Vick and Tony Romo) Cutler is a BWA (Baller With-an Attitude) so he’s playing like he has something to prove and with a little assistance from Matt Forte he just might catch the Panthers D slacking on their job! …which is to keep points OFF the board.

Panther-Nations doesn’t need them(the defense) to simply be excellent in the Red-Zone. Cutler and the Bears MUST be stopped WAY back on the Bears side of the field/FORCE THEM TO PUNT!!!! It was just a few short days ago I was ready to throw the D-Line a pizza party, equipt with balloons, streamer, and Sir Purr. Now I need them to improve on EVERYTHING they did correctly against the Jaguars and translate it into fewer points allowed, more interceptions, less 3rd down conversions and most importantly NO PENALTIES! The fewer pentalites on defense the better the field position for the Panthers’offense.

Speaking of…Cam has to shake off the mistakes of last week’s rainy victory and revert back to the record setting passer he introduced to the League two and three weeks ago. However, the ball doesn’t stop with Newton. Smitty, DeAngelo, Naanee, just to name a few, must get a grip! LITERALLY! Butter fingers/slick gloves/dropped passes, two yard runs and WINS do NOT go together.

Offensive timing and accuracy is ultimately what will win the game. This game can/will be the Panther’s statement to other teams in the league. A win in Soldier Field is the BEST way to show the NFC that team Panthers are back in the hunt for Super Bowl Glory!